Category Archives: Long Lake activities

St. Patrick’s Day and almost ice out!

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The unseasonably warm weather is hurrying up ice out this year. The big thaw is being hastened by temperatures in the mid-seventies! This “river” cuts a swath near shore in the first bay, if you are coming out of the Narrows, on the east side of the big part of Long Lake. My theory is that a late season snowmobiler headed out on the lake, and then thought better of it. As the lake melts, the ice peels like an onion skin, showing evidence of winter’s activities.  You can see where snowmobiles moved about–and there weren’t many this year. You can see where the ATVs headed to ice fishing holes.

Speaking of holes, check this one out. The sun has heated the cinder block, sitting in about two feet of water, where we attach our aluminum paddle boat in the summer. This is the result:

The camera could not quite capture the many shades of green and blue showing through the ice.  But here’s a sample:

 

March snowstorm

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We arrived at the lake Friday evening, March 2nd, just as the snow was starting to fall heavily. The trip from the Detroit area had been mostly rain. A hard rain whipped up into a frenzy by high winds. Once we got to the Rose City/Alger exit, traffic had thinned and the rain had stopped. The drive from there was uneventful, until the snow started at about Mio.

Arriving at the lake we found about 6 inches already on the ground. It had drifted considerably in places. This is the view from the inside on Saturday morning. Most of the county and apparently all of the lake lost power at about 5am Saturday morning. We were grateful that our generator kicked in, keeping our furnace, fridge, toilets and lights humming right along. The rural electrical co-op is being quoted as saying it could be a week before power is back. Their crew is already working at the airport, so hopefully it won’t be as long as they estimate.

Here are some scenes from the lake this weekend. Click on the photos for a closer look.

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Hoover at the lake house

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For a few years we didn’t bring Hoover to Long Lake. Everyone knows, and is told, that cats don’t like change. They have their places and don’t welcome new ones. They don’t travel well. Upsetting their routine upsets them. We believed that was all likely true and for about three years Hoover stayed home, with daily visits from his cat sitter, while we frolicked at the lake.

Hmm. Then we let him give travel a try. He has a favorite blanket in his carrier (that doesn’t accompany him to the vet). Right from the get-go, Hoover was ready to get going. After several months of regular weekend visits, and longer visits too, he seems as comfortable at the lake as at home.

In warm weather, he moves from window perch to window perch, watching the birds and small mammals. Chipmunks, chipmunks are his favorite. He also finds the small red squirrels quite fascinating. In cold weather, he sits for long periods watching the area around the bird feeders. After awhile, he’ll find a cozy spot and fall asleep, no doubt dreaming feline dreams of the hunt.

And the best warm spot of all is by the fireside.

The lake house

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This is how the Lake House looks approaching in a kayak on a late summer evening. Nothing grand. Just welcoming. There might be a ceiling fan turning the warm air. Maybe dinner will be sizzling on the grill. Well, that might be true if I were arriving by kayak and Steve was home. It’s a mighty rare evening when I would be doing any cooking.

But it’s early January now. This is what the lake is up to. It’s mostly thinly frozen. The ice is creeping toward Belly Button Island. Our small bay is ice-covered.

The kayaks are cleaned, UV protected, and stowed in the garage waiting for spring. By ice-out in April we’ll be back on the water but, for now, we watch the lake turn solid. The turtles are snug in their cold muddy places. The beavers are active but not seen much. They are mostly living off the cache of downed trees stashed convenient to their lodge entrances. Deer will soon be browsing on the cedar trees that rim some sections of the lake. An adult Bald Eagle flies low over the lake looking for dinner. Our bird feeders go quiet. Winter is here.

Ice fog

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A crisp fall morning. The water has cooled way down. But it’s still warmer than the air. It’s not cold enough yet to be real ice fog. The real deal would be very very rare even during the coldest Michigan weather.

Some call ice fog “pogonip.” Pogonip is an adaption of the Shoshone word for cloud (pakenappah). That’s what The Old Farmer’s Almanc is referring to in December when it says: “Beware the pogonip.”